Hare Krishna, dear Guru Maharaja,
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada.
All Glories to Srila Gurudeva.
My dearest spiritual master,
Please accept my humble and respectful obeisances at the dust of your merciful lotus feet on the most auspicious occasion of your 76th Vyasa-puja celebration.
You are the topmost pure devotee and the symbol of spiritual empowerment and inspiration in my life. You have transformed the heart of this fallen soul, engaging me in the path of Krishna consciousness. With tireless dedication, you continue to spread the mission and message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu across the globe.
I feel incredibly fortunate and eternally grateful to have been accepted by you as your disciple, solely by your causeless mercy. It has now been over a year since you kindly accepted me as your dīkṣā disciple in Sri Dham Mayapur. The memories of your purifying association and the precious instructions you gave me remain deeply etched in my heart. I aspire to constantly meditate upon them until I am blessed again with your divine association, which I sincerely pray will be very soon.
Over two years ago, I moved to Melbourne from Krishna Katha Desh to pursue my master’s degree in design. This change has brought a positive effect on my devotional life, mainly due to the inspiring association of the devotee community here, led by many of your senior disciples. You are a living example of exemplary devotee care and loving relationships, and I strive to learn from your conduct and embody these qualities in my own life.
Last year, before my marriage was finalized with a devotee, I earnestly prayed to you for your blessings and permission, especially after going through the JPS marriage questionnaire — another wonderful example of your visionary guidance and care for your disciples. I was overjoyed to know that you had received our wedding invitation. By your mercy, on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami, 3rd February, I was married in a traditional Vaishnava ceremony in the presence of Your Holiness (photo), our families, god-family, and the devotee community, all amidst constant chanting and singing of the holy names.
I humbly seek your blessings for my husband, Dhanush Priyan, and myself, that we may lead an ideal grihastha life centered around sincere and increasing devotional service to Their Lordships and the Vaishnavas.
Gurudeva, your glories are truly unlimited. It is astonishing and deeply touching to witness how you personally connect with your disciples through monthly letters, daily classes, and various social media platforms. Your consistent guidance has helped me navigate the highs and lows of youth with steadiness and spiritual strength. Your personal example of commitment to reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and encouraging us to pursue scriptural studies is a great source of inspiration. I aspire to begin the Bhakti-śāstrī course in the near future with the proper mood and seek your blessings to be successful in this endeavor under your divine supervision.
As your initiated disciple, I am currently serving the deities at home, creating and sharing devotional art on social media, attending Śrīmad Bhāgavatam classes, and actively participating in our youth kīrtan group. Recently, we organized a kīrtan festival for the community and the public. I sincerely endeavor to take up a committed regular temple service and participate in outreach preaching opportunities. Please bless me so that I may always serve you with sincerity and increase my assistance in your mission of spreading the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, according to my capacity.
I once again meditate on your extraordinary qualities of unwavering devotion to your spiritual master and selfless service to Lord Krishna. By your mercy alone, one can attain the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya. I continue to humbly long for just even one drop of that mercy, Gurudeva.
Your eternal servant and spiritual daughter,
Gopika Radharani devi dāsi (Dīkṣā)